Chevron and Ochsner Health have expanded their Lung Cancer Awareness, Education and Prevention Program thanks to a $50,000 donation from Chevron. Because of Chevron’s generosity, the program will continue to reach community members in St. Tammany Parish and impact more lives in East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension, St. Charles, Terrebonne, and Lafourche parishes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of preventable deaths. Louisiana has one of the highest smoking rates in the United States. Ochsner Health and Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit formed a key partnership to create the Lung Cancer Awareness, Education and Prevention Program to improve lung health and overall wellness. This initiative launched in November 2021 in St. Tammany Parish. Since then, the two organizations have worked together to improve resources and education around smoking cessation and overall lung health.
As part of these efforts, a public service announcement highlighting the story of Caitlin Hunter, a Chevron employee and Northshore native who lost two family members to lung cancer, will air on television throughout communities within the new locations.
Chevron’s funding is also supporting the following program initiatives:
-Encouraging early testing and diagnostics such as low-dose CT scans and lung cancer screening tests to significantly increase the chances of survival from lung cancer in certain high-risk populations.
-Visits to high schools to educate students about the dangers of vaping and smoking and to provide smoking cessation resources.
-Education on how to identify stressors and triggers leading to smoking habits.
-Smoking cessation tools to identify and utilize health mechanisms for managing stress.
In November 2022, the high school education program will include a lunch-and-learn component for parents presented by Chevron wellness staff in observance of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
“We are excited to expand the smoking cessation program and help it reach more communities than ever before,” said Leah Brown, corporate affairs manager for Chevron. “Our partnership with Ochsner Health provides early interventions for one of our most vulnerable populations – youth. It is our hope that this effort will combat the negative impacts that result from smoking and vaping, as well as decrease incidences of lung cancer. Chevron is proud to be a part of this important program.”
“Louisiana ranks near the bottom in nearly all health measures. With partnerships like ours with Chevron, we can take steps forward in building a healthier region through enhancing healthcare access, health equity, and health outcomes. Ochsner Health is committed to building a healthier region to live and thrive. We are grateful for our partnership with Chevron and their continued support as we continue working to lower smoking rates in our state,” said Leonardo Seoane, MD, Senior Vice President and chief academic officer, Ochsner Health.
To learn more about the program or to schedule an appointment, visit Ochsner.org/quit.